Waxing Nebulous

This has been a period of testing this new wax medium. Returning to a familiar subject matter, but in a new way, Nigel has been working to develop and consider this technique. Images of fires in the local bush have been significant in Nigel's work over the past few years. Previously dealing with the subject in the mixed media technique of pencils and washes on canvas, these images are given a new lease on life when rendered in wax.
It has been crucial to the adoption and development of this style that the work conveys a nebulous, mysterious quality. Through the layers of wax washes and intricately painted details, these images are ambiguous and create an interesting sense of space that goes beyond the typical use of two-dimensional perspective.
This effect is particularly important for this subject matter, as it seems to convey quite convincingly the uneasiness and mystery of a smoke-filled atmosphere. You can perhaps see in the detail below that detail is created through layering, with the bright details of the orange fire resting upon and flicking above the smoked surface.
I have also included below an image of the wax-making trolley. With all the essential tools for melting, mixing and applying the liquid wax to the surface of the canvas. Of course the paints have their own trolley, and are applied both separately and together with the wax.

Exciting News and Updates

Firstly the wonderful announcement that Nigel won the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture with his image of Richard Woldendorp! A very notable achievement which has provided much to celebrate. The Archibald Prize is the next destination for the image in 2010.


There is also a plan in the woodwork to do another portrait, this time of Robert Juniper. Because the development of the portrait of Richard was so interesting this time we have had the idea to photograph the image at every stage of its development, often many times a day and put the images into flash to create filmic documentation of the development of the work from inception to completion. The film will be posted on this very blog!

I have also included below some images that I have taken in the studio over the past week which show repairs and dramatic changes to some of the images. Although scary looking, these images demonstrate the flexibility of this wax medium. Showing that dramatic changes can be made at any and every stage of the works development. It certainly sends shivers down the spines of those of us who have traditionally seen the integrity of the surface of the image as valuable if not somewhat sacred. But I also get the feeling that that this is just the beginning of the possibilities that this medium will offer.

Colonial Misadventures

After attending a symposium on cartography maps seem to be creeping to the surface of Nigel's work. This latest image "Abledo Effect II' continues the thematic approach of its namesake exhibition.
Looking at the progressive image below you will be able to see the ways in which the figurative mapping elements of this image comes to the fore and is then knocked back throughout the layering process. A process perhaps synecdochically reflecting colonial mapping itself. Moving through three different stages up until the final image these images of the process give an insight not only into the technique but into the thematic and intellectual contemplation that takes place throughout the creation of a work.

Completed Portrait

The portrait has been completed and entered into Black Swan with the accompanying artist's statement which speaks tentatively towards the underlying subject of the image:

I have known Richard Woldendorp for 30 years and in a way Richard has been ‘sitting’ for
this portrait for all of this time. For the past five years I have been considering how to
culminate and concentrate these thirty years into an image. The medium that I have used,
of different types of petroleum waxes and oils, involves the building up of many
transparent layers which develops a complex inner structure that is deeper than the
surface of superficial two-dimensional representation. The depth and complexity of this
medium provided the means to capture the side of Richard that is rarely seen but is an
ever-present part of who he is. The other side of Richard’s tenacious grip on life is
reflected in this portrait; the subject of the image is more the vulnerability that is at the core
of his character, rather than the actuality of his face.

Long Time Coming

A recent blog entry from the studio has been a long time coming and as such there is much to report. After a return from overseas Nigel had his exhibition at Gunyulgup in January: it was great to see all of the works hanging together, which brought them together as a full body of work.
Since then the main project has been developing the wax technique and surface for upcoming portrait prizes: The Black Swan Portrait Prize here in Perth and the Archibald over east. As his subject Nigel has chosen to depict Richard Woldendorp, a renowned aerial photographer and close friend. I have included some photographs of Nigel's development of surface and technique as well as some images of the work in progress.
The image above and directly below show one of the processes for the development of the surface. After the build up of colours using wax and oils (which is down with the image hanging on the easel on the wall in the studio) the layer is enforced by laying down the canvas and painting uncoloured wax evenly over the surface. This is done in the bright light so that texture of the surface is visible and then it is adjusted and evened out with the use of a heat gun and a metal scraper. This process makes the surface ready for the next layers.

Now directly below are two images of the work in progress the first shows the entire image, and the working composition with Richard in the foreground with an interpretation of one of his landscape photographs as his context. The second image show a close up detail of one of the eyes, I hope this shows the depth and variety of colour that is used to create detail at a distance.



Also there we have done some significant changes to the website, with a new layout that is hopefully more aesthetically appealing as well as more functional, check it out:
www.nigelhewitt.com.au